The Atlanta Falcons have had plenty of negative media coverage around their 2024 NFL Draft, specifically their selection of Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. However, the rest of the draft had a clear goal in mind: Add as much production to the defensive front seven as possible. Pro Football Focus labels Atlanta's defensive line as one of the most improved units from this year's NFL draft.
Atlanta made headlines by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, overlooking a handful of more pressing needs to do so. One of those needs was the pass-rush department. Despite not using their most premium picks on that problem, they will throw a lot of new bodies at the defensive line to try to still make up for it. They traded up for Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro at the top of the second round to play on their interior, then edge rusher Bralen Trice in the third round. As if that wasn’t enough, their following pick was a third straight defensive lineman with Brandon Dorlus. All three of those players might not play right away, but they will be heavily involved in the 2024 rotation.
Atlanta has seemed to take a Moneyball-like approach in the first year of attempting to fix their pass rush under head coach Raheem Morris. Throwing the likes of Orhorhoro, Trice and Dorlus at the problem should equal at least one solid pass rusher in 2024 and could be even more impactful as they develop long-term.
